BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL OKs REINVESTMENT ZONE FOR DEL SOL, RECEIVES RECAP OF SMITHSONIAN VISIT

  

The Brenham City Council today (Thursday) approved the creation of a reinvestment zone for a local company looking to expand and heard updates on recent tourism activities.

After a public hearing, the council granted the request of Del Sol Food Company, maker of BRIANNAS Fine Salad Dressing, to create the zone for commercial tax phase-in incentive and designate 29.153 acres at 3015 and 3151 South Blue Bell Road as qualifying for tax phase-in. The reinvestment zone is necessary in order to enter into a tax abatement agreement.

Economic and Community Development Director Teresa Rosales said Del Sol plans to build out its facility to grow its non-salad dressing product lines and improve its automation systems.

The total capital investment of the project is estimated at $14 million.  Del Sol currently has over 80 full-time employees in Brenham and intends to add roughly 20 more.  Del Sol President and CEO Scott Eckert said the hope is for construction to be complete this year. 

Mayor Pro Tem Clint Kolby said he appreciates Del Sol’s continued investment in Brenham and called the company “a true asset to the community.”

Following approval of the reinvestment zone, Tourism and Marketing Director Jennifer Eckermann presented the Visit Brenham Washington County Destination Marketing Organization’s first quarter report for the current fiscal year. 

Eckermann recapped the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street exhibit program in Washington County this winter, saying Visit Brenham was very pleased with how it turned out.  She said they received a lot of positive response on the primary exhibit and the complementary local exhibits, particularly the one designed to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the Simon Theatre.

Eckermann said she is proud of the Visit Brenham team and the community for their efforts and support of the project, and that she feels they “set the standard” for hosting the Smithsonian in Texas.

Eckermann also discussed the media tour conducted in mid-November by Geiger and Associates, where travel journalists and publications were invited to visit many of Washington County’s tourist attractions in order to increase media exposure.  She called it “extremely successful” and said they are definitely interested in doing another media tour in the future.

Regular session was followed by discussion on several topics in executive session, including: the Brenham Police Department’s operations and personnel; a demand letter received by the city; the possible purchase, exchange or acquisition of real property for sanitary sewer improvements and facilities; and Brenham Municipal Airport operations and services.  No action was slated to be taken.

Click here to view the agenda packet for Thursday's meeting.